MINUTES

BRICKTOWN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE

September 8, 2004 - 9:00 a.m.

116 E Sheridan Ave, 2nd Floor Conference Room

Note:  These minutes are subject to Committee approval.

The meeting of the Oklahoma City Bricktown Urban Design Committee was called to order in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, 116 E Sheridan Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The meeting convened at 9:03 a.m.  Notice of the meeting and agenda were filed with the City Clerk’s office and posted on the Council bulletin board 24 hours prior to the meeting.

I.          ROLL CALL

            Members Present: Marsh Pitman, Chair

                         Tom Wilson, Vice-Chair

                        Chuck Ainsworth

                        George Washington

                         John M. Yoeckel

            Members Absent: None

            Staff Present:       John R. Calhoun, Planner II (Committee Secretary)

                                       Rita D. Aka-Bashorun, Assistant Municipal Counselor

II.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APPROVED.  Motion:  Washington/Yoeckel to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2004, Bricktown Urban Design Committee meeting.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.

III.            CASES FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION

            III-A. Consider issuing a Bricktown Certificate of Approval for BCA-04-006, at 103 E California Ave.  Application:  Cynthia Wright, Johnson & Associates Inc., for Brewer Enterprises, is applying for approval to install awnings on the canal side.

No one appeared; staff reported that the applicant had requested a continuance.

CONTINUED.  Motion:  Wilson/Ainsworth to continue BCA-04-006 for one month.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.

            III-B. Consider issuing a Bricktown Certificate of Approval for BCA-04-009, at N Mickey Mantle Dr, across E Main St and railroad right-of-way, and 400’ of E Main St.  Application:  Paul H. Brum, P.E., City of Oklahoma City Public Works Dept., is applying for approval to (1) rehabilitate the Walnut Avenue Viaduct; and (2) modify surfaces on E Main St and Mickey Mantle Dr.

Mr. Brum appeared.  He said that the lanes at grade level next to the bridge south of Main would become pedestrian-only walks; the streetlights would replicate the originals.  The clearance above the tracks would be raised from 21’ to 23’, by raising the bridge and lowering the tracks each about 1’.  The railroad now requires fencing where the bridge is above the tracks; the plan shown is for chain-link but he would like to change that part of the design.

APPROVED, in part, with option.  Motion:  Yoeckel/Ainsworth to approve item (1) of BCA 04-009, with the option to change the chain-link fencing above the tracks.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.

CONTINUED, in part.  Motion:  Yoeckel/Ainsworth to continue item (2) of BCA-04-009 for one month.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.

            III-C. Consider issuing a Bricktown Certificate of Approval for BCA-04-008, at 1˝ E Main St.  Application:  Don A. Karchmer, Bricktown Parking Investors, for the City of Oklahoma City, is applying for approval to install fabric parking covers in the parking lot.

Mr. Karchmer appeared.  He said the awnings would be 7’ high.

APPROVED.  Motion:  Wilson/Washington to approve BCA-04-008.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.  Abstain:  Ainsworth.

            III-D. Consider issuing a Bricktown Certificate of Approval for BCA-04-004, at 222 E Sheridan Ave.  Application:  Ben L. Randolph, Wave Omnimedia LLC, for Power Alley Parking, is applying for approval to (2) project images on the west side of the parking garage.

No one appeared.  Mr. Pitman recused himself as the property owner, and reported that a temporary installation of part of the screen had not been done yet.

CONTINUED.  Motion:  Wilson/Yoeckel to continue BCA-04-004 for one month.  Ayes:  Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.  Abstain:  Pitman.

IV.            OTHER BUSINESS  (no items)

V.            COMMUNICATIONS

            V-A. Sub-committee on murals:  An ad-hoc committee was established with Mr. Ainsworth as chair and Mr. Wilson as member.  Suggestions were to develop a town hall meeting to receive input on the future of Bricktown.  Other community representatives present were also included as committee members.

            V-B. Notification of pending cases:  Consider and discuss policy and procedure changes for owners of nearby properties to learn about proposed changes:  Staff outlined the tradeoffs between official notification (with added staff time but greater awareness) and deadlines for applications.  The present system includes official City Clerk posting, plus staff unofficially notifying anyone who requests by email or fax.  The consensus of Committee members was to leave the system as-is.  They would like to see a blanket letter to let owners know of the option to receive the unofficial notices.

            V-C. The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Bricktown Urban Design Committee is Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 9 a.m.  New applications and information on continued projects are to be submitted to staff by 5 p.m., Monday, October 4.

VI.            ADJOURNMENT (9:52 a.m.)

Motion:  Washington/Yoeckel to adjourn the September 8, 2004, meeting of the Bricktown Urban Design Committee.  Ayes:  Pitman, Wilson, Ainsworth, Washington, Yoeckel.  Nays:  None.

                    jrc